Rachelle's Friend

Walking through the door, she heard her phone ring for the fiftieth time. "Hello?"

" I was just calling to tell you that I got a reservation for you at Renaldo's for 7:30, you can thank me later."

"I don't know why I let you talk me in to this!- Just call and say I had to cancel because of some sudden family emergency."

"I will not!" She could hear the frustration in her voice. Maggie scoffed. "Fine, but I hope you don't expect me to get ready on time if you got me holding a phone to my head, and he'd better be normal this time"

" Well maybe you should enlighten me, Madam, on what you consider normal, because I think me and you have to completely different definitions for the word." You could tell she was trying to hold back her laughter along with the rest of her sarcastic humor.

"Look Mags, just go, give it a shot; what do you got to lose. If in forty mins you find your self trying to come up with any excuse to bail- shoot me a text and I will call to your rescue."

"Deal, but you better answer the phone." as if she was certain the night would be a fail. She checked the time tossing her phone onto her bed in the same motion. Suddenly she had the same sinking feeling in her stomach as she did when she first moved to Landale. Her nervousness was almost overwhelming. She quickly jumped into the shower, she knew there was no time for extravagant but the least she could do was try to look some type of appealing. Her mind went back and forth over 100 thoughts at a time. It had been twelve years since she had dated. She felt awkward and out of her comfort zone. She sifted through the going out side of her closet, and her frustration increased as she found it hard choosing something to wear.

"What look am I going for?" Maggie ask her self. " The kind that says I can only stay about forty mins, then I got to rush off to my sofa and Netflix." she said sarcastically answering her own question. As she put on her makeup she couldn't help but wonder what he would be like. She had heard Rachelle mention him in quite a few stories, but other than being John's friend, she knew zip. John was Rachelle's husband. They met at a frat party their freshman year of college and had been inseparable ever since. Rachelle swore it was love at first sight, and it appears that would be true. They are the stereotypical cutesy couple that goes over board with the mushy, honey, baby, darling, sweetheart stuff. Maggie was always critical of Rachelle and John's behavior, and expressed it in a ever so teasing humorous manner. But truth be told, she had always wanted to find someone whom she could experience that kind of thing with.

"Well, we all cant have everything." she said to her self while looking in the mirror. She quickly slid her tiny feet into her shoes, and headed out the door. As she made it to the restaurant, her anxiety level went into sky rocket. She couldn't believe it. Rachelle had been babbling on about this all week. She couldn't get her to shut up for anything. Everyday she constantly went over the same facts, details, and pointers so she was sure to wow him, as Rachelle said it; just so when its time to put the theory to test her mind all at once went blank.

"Hello?" it was Rachelle, yet again. " Yes, I'm walking in now." She had called for reassurance that Maggie was not only going to be at the restaurant but that she would make it there in an appropriate time for the reservation. "What did you say the name was again? Ralph" Maggie asked nervously. "Ross goofy". You could hear the hysteria in Rachelle's voice. "Glad your amused, I'm hanging up now."

"Have fun."

"Yeah, yeah bye." Maggie dropped her phone into her bag as she approached the hostess. "Name please?"

"Ross, I believe."

"Right this way ma'am."

She followed the hostess to the dinning area. She felt her stomach begin to knot. "Your party is waiting." Maggie kept silent as they approached the table. "Shall I fill you drink Sir?" asked the hostess.

"Yes, please." while looking over at Maggie he then asked "And what would you like to start off with?"

"Wi- ah , excuse me- I meant water will be fine".

"Of course" .. " I'll be right back to take your order."

"So your Maggie! It's crazy cause I know we are meeting for the first time, but Rachelle speaks of you so much I feel like I've known you for years." Sitting across the table was Tyler Ross. He was Johns partner at the law firm he worked for. Both John and Ross was very successful in their work and had made a rather established life for themselves. This is the exact reason Rachelle thought it would be a genius idea to set the two of them up on a date.

"Yes, and you must be Tyler. I've heard a lot about you as well."

"All good, I hope" Tyler replied smiling.

"Yes, Rachelle speaks of you fondly." She couldn't believe it. Rachelle actually done well this time. Well meaning she damn near nailed the idealistic fantasy version from Maggie's thoughts. He was handsome, smart, great job, well dressed, gorgeous smile. This was to good to be true. There had to be a flaw somewhere.

"So tell me Tyler, How is it that someone like you is still single"

Tyler laughed. " Well , I guess its cause I'm old fashioned in a way- not a lot of girls are into that sort of thing." Still laughing he again replied "I think its more cause I'm looking for a certain type and once I see that a girls not it then I wont continue a charade trying to make something out of someone that's not."

Maggie could tell that Tyler was different from the guys she had dated in the past. She saw potential in him. Their conversation went on effortlessly. "Can I interest you in trying this weeks special?" the hostess asked.

"I'd be glad to." Tyler replied while sitting up in his chair. "Maggie?"

"Sure, what is this may I ask?"

"Merlot." the hostess replied. "A toast?" Tyler requested while raising his glass. Maggie then rose her glass as she tried to ignore the fact she felt her face beginning to flush. She hadn't been this mixed with emotion since adolescence. Maybe this was the start of something truly special.

"To the start of a friendship that hopes to be both meaningful and prosperous. And may life carry it to the lengths and depths that surpasses the limits of time- for generations to come."